PCGG suffers another setback in Payanig

THE Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) has suffered another setback in its bid to wrest control of the 18.5-hectare “Payanig sa Pasig” property from a firm identified with former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson.

The Pasig Metropolitan Trial Court junked the PCGG’s petition to eject 10 commercial establishments in the property for not paying rent, saying it lacked merit.

The PCGG wanted to eject the establishments who were leasing portions of the surrendered properties and paying rent to Blemp Commercial.

Blemp claims it acquired the property before it was turned over to the PCGG by Jose Campos, a crony of former President Ferdinand Marcos, as part of his ill-gotten wealth.

Campos surrendered the property in exchange for immunity from suit.

The PCGG said it would appeal the decision, saying the court failed to consider the certificate from Land Registration Authority (LRA) that strengthened the government’s claim on Payanig.

The PCGG said the LRA certificate supports the authenticity of the original owner’s copy of Transfer Certificate Title No. 469702 issued by the Pasig Registry of Deeds and held by the commission.

Singson’s camp has also presented a copy of the land title covering 2.48 hectares and 16 hectares to support his claim of ownership.

Court records showed that the Ortigas and Company Limited Partnerships (OCLP) is also claiming Payanig.